Flow,no-flow device



United States Patent [72] Inventor Jimmie N. Hoover 2517 Cambridge St.,Odessa, Tex. 79760 [21 1 Appl. No. 807,290 [22] Filed Mar. 14, 1969 [45]Patented Dec. 29. 1970 [54] FLOW, NO-FLOW DEVICE 10 Claims, 1 DrawingFig.

[52] US. Cl 200/83, 340/244 [51] Int. Cl i. H01h 35/40 [50] Field ofSearch 18/16; 73/151, 239. 240; 103/25; ZOO/81.9; 340/244, 245; 200/83;73/209 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.276.380 10/1966Stevenson 200/81.9X 2,892,051 6/1959 Moore ZOO/81.9(M)

Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-J. R. ScottAttorney-Marcus L. Bates ABSTRACT: A flow, no-flow device whichdifferentiates between gas and liquid fluid flow therethrough The deviceincludes a movable element which cooperates with an orifice in a mannersimilar to a valve element and valve seat. The movable element remainsin the opened position when liquid is flowing therethrough and assumesthe closed position upon the occurrence of gaseous fluid flowingtherethrough. A switch associated with the movable element of the deviceis adapted to interrupt the current flow to a motor of a pump whichprovides the source of fluid flow, thus obviating a pump-off conditionin a well bore.

PATENTEU UEC29 19m FIG. 5

INVENTOR. JIMMIE N. HOOVER BY MARCUS L. BATES FIG. 6

FLOW, NO-FLOW DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the production ofoil wells by artificial lift, such as a bottom hole pump which isactuated by a pump jack located above the surface of the earth, a suckerrod is attached to the pump so as to deliver reciprocatory motion fromthe pump jack to the downhole pump. The sucker rod is attached to thepump jack by, a polish rod, anda stuffing box seals the reciprocatingpolish rod to the fixed free end of the production tubing. The producedcrude sufiiciently lubricates the seal between the packing of thestuffing box and the polish rod. The pump cyclically unloads thereservoir, causing gaseous fluid to be produced, whereupon the gas isflow conducted past the seal provided by the stufiing box. This actioncauses rapid and excessive wear to occur between the polish rod andstuffing box because of the lack of lubrication and coolant normallyprovided bythe produced crude. Accordingly, it is advantageous to beable to discontinue the operation of the pump jack motor upon asubstantial amount of gaseous fluid being produced from the well. Thisdiscontinuance of opera- :ion is referred to as "pump-off control." Suchan expedient to! only minimizes wear upon the various components of theJump system. but also effects a savings in electric power.

Various mechanical and electromechanical devices have been suggested bythe prior art in order to avoid continued operation of a pump jack uponthe detection of a substantial flow of gaseous fluid flow. One suchprior art device which has proven highly satisfactory is the apparatusdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,433 to Johnson.

Another form of the prior art devices which provides a pump-off controlrelates to measuring the tension on the sucker rod in order to ascertainthe static head of produced fluid within the production tubing asdescribed in U.S. Pat.

No. 3,359,791 to Pantages. As evidenced by these and other known formsof the prior art devices directed to flow, no-flow of liquid from an oilwell, a substantial amount of circuitry and apparatus of a complicatednature is generally required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a pumpoffcontrol means for effectively discriminating between gaseous and liquidfluid flow by providing a .flow,v no-flow apparatus having .a mainhousing within which there is operatively positioned a flow responsiveor movable element which together with the housing forms an upper and alower chamber. An equalizer line connected between each of the chambersforms a stand pipe. A passageway in the form of a gas orifice isprovided within the flow responsive element for equalizing the pressurebetween the two chambers when gas if flowing. A switch means adapted tobe moved in response to movement of the movable element provides acontrol for interrupting current flow to the motor which actuates adownhole pump. Flow of produced liquid through the inlet and to thelower chamber provides a hydrostatic head in the equalizer line which iseffected as an upwardly directed force on the movable element to therebylift the element from the orifice. Thisaction maintains the switch inthe closed or current-flowing condition. When the reservoir produces asubstantial quantity of gas rather than liquid or a liquid/gas mixture,the gaseous flow into the housing causes the liquid level in theequalizer line to be lowered and the gas to flow into the upper chamberand through the flow control element, thereby equalizing the pressurebetween the two chambers. This action causes the biased movable elementto be seated against the orifice thereby moving the switch to the openedposition so as to interrupt current flow to the downhole pump motorwhereupon no further pumping action is possible until the pump is againenergized.

; It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide aflow, no-flow device which produces a signal when liquid or a mixture ofliquid and gases is flowing through a conduit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fiow,no-flow device which actuates a flow control means when liquid isflowing through a conduit. and which deenergizes the flow control meanswhen gas is flowing through the conduit.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide animproved flow, no-fiow device which prevents a pump-off condition fromoccurring in an oil well.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flow. no-flowdevice having a movable element therein responsive to a hydrostatic headwithin structure related to the movable element.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the presentinvention by the provision of a flow, no-flow device fabricatedessentially as set forth in the above abstract and summary. Otherobjects will occur to those skilled in the art upon digesting theremainder of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 4 is a fragmentarycross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partly cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;and FIG. 6 is a schematical representation illustrating a contemplateduse of the invention. A

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is disclosed in FIG. 1, inconjunction with the remaining FIGS, a flow, no-flow device made inaccordance with the present invention. The device includes a mainhousing within which is disposed an inlet 12, an outlet 14, and with anorifice l6 interposed between the inlet and outlet. An upper portion 18of the housing is suitably attached, as by the illustrated flange ringand bolt circle, to the lower portion ofthe housing. Upwardly dependingfrom the upper portion of the housing is a stand pipe housing 20. Aflexible diaphragm 22 is interposed between the flange faces of theupper and lower housing members and divides the interior of the mainhousing into an inlet chamber 24, an outlet chamber 25, and an upperchamber 26. A movable element 28 has a lower face 30 which is preferablya resilient seal material that enables the movable element to cooperatewith the upwardly depending edge portion of the before-mentionedorifice. A metal disc 32 is removably attached to the movable element byany suitable means in order to secure the before-mentioned diaphragmthereto.

Upwardly depending from the movable element is a stand pipe, orequalizer conduit 34, which is concentrically arranged with respect tothe before-mentioned stand pipe housing. The movable element is providedwith a passageway 36 which communicates with passageway 38 formed withinthe tubular stand pipe. Spaced-apart from the terminal end of the upperextremity of the stand pipe are a series of radially spaced-apart portsor apertures 40 which communicate the interior of the stand pipe withthe interior of the stand pipe housing.

An isolated reed switch housing 46 is supportingly attached to the standpipe housing and telescopingly received in a slidable manner within thestand pipe itself.

The movable element is further provided with a multiplicity ofvertically disposed passageways 44 which communicate the upper chamberwith the outlet chamber regardless of the position of the movableelement.

The annulus at 46 can be made of close tolerance if desired, however,such an expedient is not deemed necessary unless the stand pipe outleholes are located in a manner whereby the device seen in FIGS. 1 and 2as seen along line 3-3 of FIG.

' they become covered by the lower terminal end of the isolated reedswitch housing. A permanent magnet 48 is adjustably attached in a rigidmanner to the marginal end portion of the stand pipe and aligned withinclose proximity to an encapsulated reed switch 50 with the reed switchpreferably being atjp tached to the inside peripheral wall surface 42.Wires 52 are "electrically connected to the reed switch. Adapter 54enables the reed switch to be readily removed from the stand pipehousing, while cap 56'protects the upper extremity of the device fromenvironmental elements.

In operation the flow device can be used in a number of differentapplications, as for example to actuate a solenoid actuated controlvalve; however, it is preferred to explain the details of the operationin conjunction 'with a downhole pump wherein the downhole pump has acontroller which cyclically actuates an electric motor which in turnprovides the power to drive the downhole pump. The switch of the instantinvention is preferably connected to the motor controller in a .mannerwhereby after the pump motor has been started by the con- 7 -troller,and after a suitable time delay in order to permit the movable elementof the flow, no-flow device to assume the open position, subsequentactuation of the reed switch to the open position will interrupt currentflow and accordingly discontinue, operation of the pump motor.

ltzshould be understood that other switching arrangements than as shownand described herein are contemplated. For example, a pneumaticallycontrolled circuitry device can be sub- .stituted'for the magnet andreed switch and such a modification is considered to still fall withinthe comprehensionof the present invention. Furthermore, incorporation ofthe various mechanical linkages which actuate switches, such as amercury switch or a mechanical switch, is also considered to be withinthe comprehension of this invention.

In operation, andassuming the timer to have started fluid flow from.theproduction zone of an oil well, gas will initially sidered inconjunction with the weight of the various elements attached to thediaphragm must be of a ratio to provide a resultant force which movesthe 'movable element in an upward direction prior to liquid overflowingthrough ports 40. As the hydrostatic head causes the movable element toopen, the main flow path will occur through the seat provided'by theorifice and hence through outlet 14. This action enables the stand pipeto telescopirigly receive the switch housing, thereby aligning themagnet with the reed switch, whereupon the contact points of the reedswitch are magnetically attracted by the magnet and caused to assume theclosed position. This action must occur before the timed delay period ofthe motor controller runs out. The reed switch is now in control of thepump and should its contact points open due to cessation of liquid flow,the current flow to the pump motor will be interrupted to therebymaintain the pump in standby condition until the next timed cycle of thecontroller.

Assuming the reservoir associated with the borehole should :reacha-pump-off condition, gas will flow into inlet 12 where it enters port36, where the gas will'then rise within the stand pipe, travel throughports 40, continue back through the passageway 44, and then flow throughchamber 25 and outlet 14. This action eliminates the hydrostatic headpreviously present within the stand pipe and accordingly the resultantforces exerted against each side of the diaphragm is changedsufficiently to cause the valve element to move in the downwarddirection. This action moves the magnet away from the reed switch,causing the contacts of the reed switch to assume the opened positionwhich in turn deenergizes the pump LII motor. The control device isnow"-in the standby condition .awaiting the next timed cycle ofoperation whiph will be carand gaseous flow through a flow conduit; aflow,. no-flow device adapted to be flow connected in fluidflowrelationship with respect to the flow conduit, comprising.

said flow, no-flow device including me nsf orminga main housing .havingan inlet. an outlet. ojriticefa movable element, and an equalizerconduit; said movable element and said orifice being disposed withinsaid main-housing and cooperating together to form an inlet chamber. anoutlet chamber, and an upper chamber, with said orifice being interposedbetweensaid inlet chamber and saidoutlet chamber, and with said movableelement being interposed between said upper chamber and said inletchamber; i

said inlet being connected to said inlet chamber, said outlet beingconnected to said outlet chamber;

means associated with said movable element for enabling said movableelement to be moved from a position adjacent said orifice to a positionspaced-apart from said orifice; 1

said equalizer conduit being affixed to said movable elementand havingat least a portion thereof located in said upper chamber; said equalizerconduit having flow passageway means for forming a passageway from saidinlet chamber; through'said'movable element, and into said upperchamber, said flowpassageway means of said equalizer conduitadaptedto'form a hydrostatic head therein when a sufficient quantity ofliquid flows into said inlet chamber;

means forminga flow passageway from said upper chamber, through saidmovable element, and to said outlet chamber for flow communicating saidupper and outlet chambers togetherwhen said movable element is adjacentthe orifice;and

control means connected to be actuated-by said movable element fordiscriminating between liquid and gaseous .flowthrough the device.

2. The improvement of claim l-wherein said equalizer conduit is avertically disposed stand pipe having a lower end p'ortion rigidlyaffixed to said movable element, and with'the lower extremity thereofbeing flow connected to the outlet chamber; and with the upper extremityof saidstand pipe being flow connected to the upper chamber of themainhous- 3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said control means includes:I

a magnet attached to and adapted to move in conjunction with saidmovable element; and

a magnetically actuated switch adapted to be actuated by said magnet;whereby when said magnet is brought into close proximity of said switch,the switch is actuated to thereby providethe recited function ofindicating the presence of liquid fluid flow.

4. The improvement of claim l wherein said control means includes:

a magnet'attached to and adapted to move in conjunction with saidmovable element; and

a magneticallyactuated switch adapted to be actuated by said magnet;whereby whensaid' magnet-is brought into close proximity of said switch,the switch is actuated to thereby provide the recited function ofindicating the presence of liquid fluid flow.

5. The improvement of claim 3 wherein said fluid conduit includes theproduction-tubing of an oil well, and further including an oil wellproduction pump located within the well, an electric motor for actuatingsaid pump, means forming a controller for said motor. said controllercyclically energizing said motor, means by which said switch is attachedto said controller to deenergize said motor upon the well assuming apump-off condition.

6. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said control means includes:

a magnet attached to and adapted to move in conjunction with saidmovable element;

a magnetically actuated switch adapted to be actuated by said magnet;whereby when said magnet is brought into close proximity of said switch,the switch is actuated to thereby provide the recited function ofindicating the presence of liquid fluid flow; and

said fluid conduit includes the production tubing of an oil well, andfurther including an oil well production pump located within the well,an electric motor for actuating said pump, means for forming acontroller for said motor, said controller cyclically energizing saidmotor, means by which said switch is attached to said controller todeenergize said motor upon the well assuming a pump-off condition.

7. The device claimed in claim 8 wherein said movable element includes aflexible diaphragm having the circumferentially extending edge portionsthereof affixed to said main housing; said movable element having meansforming a face thereon;

said orifice having an upwardly depending edge portion which forms anentrance thereinto, and which engages said face of said movable elementwhensaid movable element is moved into engagement with said orifice; and

said means forming a flow passageway. from said upper chamber to saidoutlet chamber being in the form of vertically disposed passagewaysformed through said face and spaced-apart from said equalizer conduit,whereby gas flows from said inlet chamber, through said movable element,through said equalizer conduit, into said upper chamber, through saidvertically disposed passageways,

into said orifice, and into said outlet chamber.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said equalizer conduit is in the formof a standpipe; said stand pipe depending from said movable element in adirection opposite from said face; whereby: liquid flows into said inletchamber, through said movable element, and into said stand pipe tothereby provide a hydrostatic head within the stand pipe which causessaid face to lift free of said orifice, whereupon the movable element ismoved to the recited position spaced-apart from said orifice, andthereby permits liquid flow to occur from said inlet to said outlet.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said orifice is in the form of a wallhaving an aperture therein, said movable element is in the form of adiaphragm having a plug thereon; said plug adapted to be seated againstsaid orifice to thereby divert gaseous fluid flow from said inlet tosaid upper chamber and thence to said outlet chamber, and to permitliquid fluid to flow directly from a said inlet chamber to said outletchamber when said plug is lifted from said orifice 10. The improvementof claim 8 wherein said equalizer conduit includes a standpipe rigidlyaffixed to said movable member and having a lower end portion thereofflow connected to the inlet chamber by means of drilled passagewaylocated in said movable element, said stand pipe having means forming anoverflow with said overflow being spaced-apart from said drilledpassageway which enables the recited hydrostatic head to be effectedwithin the stand pipe when liquid flows into said inlet chamber, andwhich enables gas to flow from said inlet chamber, through said standpipe, into said upper chamber, through said means forming a flowpassageway, through said orifice, and into said outlet chamben

